naomi epel's Radio Weblog

Monday, December 20, 2004

Jon C thought a better term for groups like the NRA & Drug Industry would be "assholes" But if we're trying not to alienate people like my sister, should i leave the response out - even if I agree?

Rob Osborne wrote:

I say we embrace the NRA. The NRA touts their support of ALL the Amendments, saying ‘once one Amendment goes…. Blah blah blah’. Gun control shouldn’t even be on the radar.

I’m putting a NRA sticker on my truck, right next to my “Liberalism: it’s not just for pussies anymore” bumpersticker.

...By the way, the drug industry isn’t the enemy; its unfettered capitalism and corporate greed/control.

Maybe we should call them "carpetbaggers"

11:33:28 PM

Barry Wildorf wrote:

I find it difficult to lump together NRA, which is a not-for-profit organization with a for-profit industry {like the drug companies]. I have a hard time distinguishing the NRA from the ACLU as to form. It is more a matter of content. Industries that put profits ahead of the common good are "profiteers." Organizations, whether we like them or not, perform an important function in a democracy. The First Amendment gives us the right to assemble peaceably. If I had my way, I'd call them all "First Amendment Groups" and drag them into the same primal soup as the ACLU whether they like the company or not.

To which Jack Glaser responded:

I agree with Barry in principle, but that kind of principled, semantic
hairsplitting is EXACTLY what puts liberals at a huge disadvantage. We
need to start calling the NRA and like-minded conservative groups names
that better depict them and what they do.

11:19:03 PM

Last week I posted the following challenge:Let's come up with a new term to replace"special interests" or "monied interests." A term that we can use to describe groups like the drug industry & the NRA - groups to whom the Republican administration is beholden.

The strongest response came from my sister Julia who wrote:

I worry that your website – which has been created to invite discussion – may be intimidating or discouraging to a part of the audience you seek, because of what I perceive as a hostile undertone. Statements like, "groups to whom the Republican administration is beholden.” and , although the United States government is under the control of people we may not like ..." strike me as the angry, accusatory type of rhetoric I find so distasteful in the conservative ine of thinking. Therefore, did I not know you personally, I would be wary of aligning myself with your Blog.

I think that you seek the input of a wide audience – including those who perceive themselves as non-partisan who simply want to restore/ensure civility and a strong civic spirit.

I replied that I wasnt sure that this blog was intended for that audience. but should rather be a place for people mindsets similar to my own. But I am taking it under advisement and will try to practice what I say we are trying to preach - ie more effective communication.

11:01:48 PM